Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Plumptre 1878).djvu/241

Rh Ο wretched one of wretched father born,

Thou child of Œdipus,

What means this? Surely 'tis not that they bring

Thee as a rebel against the king's decree,

And taken in the folly of thine act?

Guard. Yes! She it was by whom the deed was done.

We found her burying. Where is Creon, pray?

Chor. Back from his palace comes he just in time.

Creon. What chance is this, with which my coming fits?

Guard. Men, Ο my king, should pledge themselves to nought;

For cool reflection makes their purpose void.

I surely thought I should be slow to come here,

Cowed by thy threats, which then fell thick on me;

But now persuaded by the sweet delight

Which comes unlooked for, and beyond our hopes,

I come, although I swore the contrary,

Bringing this maiden, whom in act we found

Decking the grave. No need for lots was now;

The prize was mine, and not another man's.

And now, Ο king, take her, and as thou wilt,

Judge and convict her. I can claim a right

To wash my hands of all this troublous coil.

Creon. How and where was it that ye seized and brought her?

Guard. She was in act of burying. Thou knowest all.

Creon. Dost know and rightly speak the tale thou tell'st?

Guard. I saw her burying that self-same corpse

Thou bad'st us not to bury. Speak I clear?

Creon. How was she seen, and taken in the act?

Guard. The matter passed as follows:—When we came,

With all those dreadful threats of thine upon us,